A powerful tornado has claimed at least 27 lives across the US Midwest and South, with Kentucky bearing the brunt—reporting 18 deaths, 17 of which occurred in Laurel County. Governor Andy Beshear described the devastation as unprecedented, urging support for the affected communities. Missouri also reported five deaths and over 5,000 homes impacted. Roads remain closed, homes destroyed, and rescue operations are ongoing. The National Weather Service noted a likely tornado near historic Forest Park in St. Louis, underlining the deadly shift of tornadoes into more populated, vulnerable mid-South areas.
